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Genesis 2:19

EOB (Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible):

Genesis 2:19 Then the LORD God formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

EOB Footnote:

The MT reads “and formed” using a verb form (wayyitzer) that some ancient interpreters understood as indicating two formations—one for this world and one for the resurrection—though this is a matter of scribal spelling rather than a true textual variant. The MT also includes “from the ground” (min-ha’adamah) specifying the material from which the animals were formed, which some LXX manuscripts render more briefly. The MT concludes with the phrase “that was its name” or “that was the name of it,” whereas the LXX reads “this was the name of it” with slightly different demonstrative force. The verb tense in the MT (“and he formed”) has been debated as to whether it indicates action simultaneous with or sequential to the creation of the man; the LXX aorist similarly allows for either reading. The rendering follows the LXX in treating this as simple past narration.

Other Translations:

KJV (King James Version):

And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.

WEB (World English Bible):

Out of the ground Yahweh God formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called every living creature became its name.

Benton LXX (Vaticanus):

And God formed yet farther out of the earth all the wild beasts of the field, and all the birds of the sky, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them, and whatever Adam called any living creature, that was the name of it.

Douai-Rheims (Vulgate):

“And the Lord God having formed out of the ground all the beasts of the earth, and all the fowls of the air, brought them to Adam to see what he would call them: for whatsoever Adam called any living creature the same is its name.”

Apostoliki Diakonia (LXX):

And the Lord God formed out of the earth all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them; and whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

YLT (Young Literal Translation )(MT):

And out of the ground Yahweh God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

BBE (Bible in Basic English):

“And from the earth the Lord God made every beast of the field and every bird of the air; and he took them to the man to see what names he would give them: and whatever name he gave to any living thing, that was its name.”

EOB COMMENTARY:

EOB Commentary:

Genesis 2:19 Commentary

The Naming of the Animals and the Authority of Adam

This verse reveals a profound mystery concerning the nature of humanity and foreshadows the redemptive work of Christ. When God brings the animals before Adam to see what he would call them, we witness the first exercise of human dominion and wisdom granted by the Creator. The phrase “whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name” demonstrates that Adam possessed genuine authority and insight into the nature of created things.

Patristic Interpretation: Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes that this naming was not arbitrary but reflected Adam’s spiritual perception. In his Homilies on Genesis, Chrysostom notes that Adam could discern the essential nature of each creature, a gift of prophetic wisdom bestowed upon him in his unfallen state. Saint Basil the Great similarly observes that this act demonstrated humanity’s royal dignity over creation, establishing mankind as the mediator between God and the material world.

Christological Significance: The Church Fathers recognized in Adam’s naming authority a type of Christ, the New Adam. Just as the first Adam named the creatures, Christ the Logos gives true names and meaning to all things. In Revelation, Christ promises to give believers “a new name” (Revelation 2:17), restoring the naming authority lost through the fall. The Logos through whom all things were made (John 1:3) is the ultimate source of the wisdom Adam exercised in Paradise.

Liturgical Connections: The theme of naming appears throughout Orthodox liturgical life. In the Mystery of Baptism, the catechumen receives a Christian name, signifying their new identity in Christ and their restoration to the Adamic vocation. The naming of children on the eighth day echoes this primordial act of bestowing identity and purpose.

Spiritual Significance: This passage speaks to the Orthodox understanding of theosis. Adam’s ability to name the animals reflected his participation in divine wisdom, his communion with the Logos. Through the fall, this capacity was darkened but not destroyed. The spiritual life involves recovering this contemplative vision, learning to perceive the logoi or divine principles within creation. The hesychastic tradition teaches that through purification and prayer, believers may again perceive creation as Adam once did, seeing all things in their relation to God.

The verse also establishes the principle that humanity is called to be a conscious participant in God’s creative work, not merely a passive recipient of grace. God waits “to see what he would call them,” honoring human freedom and creativity while remaining the ultimate source of all wisdom and authority.

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